New coatings for dentures to prevent fungal infections
Official title: Salivary peptide/protein-based multilayer denture coatings for controlling Candida biofilm formation and denture stomatitis
Funded at University of Massachusetts Lowell · NIH-11158935 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at new ways to coat dentures with natural proteins from saliva to help stop the growth of a fungus that can cause painful infections, especially for older adults who wear dentures.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Massachusetts Lowell NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Lowell, United States) |
| Project start | August 1, 2024 |
| Project end | April 30, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $630,675 |
| NIH project number | 5R01DE034121-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-11158935 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are elderly individuals or those with compromised immune systems who wear dentures and are at risk for Candida infections.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who do not wear dentures or those without any risk factors for Candida infections may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research focuses on developing innovative coatings for dentures that utilize natural salivary proteins to prevent the growth of Candida, a fungus that can cause painful infections in denture wearers. The approach involves creating multilayer coatings on dentures that enhance the binding of these protective proteins, which have shown effectiveness against fungal biofilms. By using a layer-by-layer self-assembly technique, the researchers aim to improve the durability and effectiveness of these coatings, potentially reducing the incidence of denture stomatitis, especially in vulnerable populations such as the elderly.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could significantly reduce the occurrence of painful fungal infections in denture wearers, improving their oral health and quality of life.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown promise in using salivary proteins for antifungal applications, indicating that this approach may lead to successful outcomes.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Massachusetts Lowell
Lowell, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Sun, Yuyu — University of Massachusetts Lowell
- Study coordinator: Sun, Yuyu
About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.